Improvement in steam-piping for heating, cooking



3 Sheets-Shae? 1. E. F. OSBORNE, I Steam-Piping for Heating, Cooking,8w.-

No. 212,320. Patented Feb. 18,1879.

V\/ITNE55ES IN NT R N.FETER$. PNOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASNINKRON. D. C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. F. OSBORNE. I Steam-Piping for Heating, Cooking, &0.

No. 212.320. Patented Feb. 18,1879.

\NITNEEIEJIES. V \IENTEIR iz fi h U ",PEIEES, PHOTMJTHOGRAPMER,WASHINGTON, D. C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3. I E. P. OSBORNE. I

Steam-Piping for Heating, Cooking, 850.

Patented Feb. 18, 1879.

\A/ITNEEEJEE wymw 22;

N, PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C

'IA'I'ES PATENT EUGENE F. OSBORNE, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEAM-PIPING FOR HEATING, COOKING, ac.

- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 2123320, datedFebruary 18, 1879 application filed Q I October 15? 1878. 7

To all whom "it may concern;

Be'it known that I, EUGENE F. OSBORNE, of the city of St. Paul, in thecounty of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Steann Piping for Heating, Cooking, and otherPur-j Y combine in a single system adapted to highpressure use theadvantages of both high and low pressure methods or systems of applyingsteam to the purposes named, and, second, to connect andcombine in asingle general or extended system several divisions or minor systems,each embodying the novel features by which my first object is attained,

I and having either the same or widely-difierin g pressures, as may berequired.

Advantages of my invention will be found in avoidance of hammering inthe pipes, greater cheapness in construction, economy in fuel, and insimplicity of operation.

As will more fully appear from the following description and from theclaims, my invention consists, first, in a system of steamcirculationindependent of the boiler, except that the latter is the source ofsupply, and arranged so that a uniform pressure is preserved in all themembers of the circuit; second,'in a system of steam-circulationindependent of the boiler except as a source of supply, and a seal tankor reservoir into which the several members discharge their water ofcondensation, and whereby a uniform seal is maintained in the severalmembers of the cir-" cuit; third, in a system of steam-circulation,

a connecting or bridge pipe extending between bined trap and seal-tank.-

In order to more clearly explain my method of applying the principle ofequalized steampressure in the supply and return pipes by forming acircuit embracing them both, I have in Figure l of the drawingsillustrated a single division or a Simple system of piping andapparatus. In this figure, A is the inductionpipe or supply-main leadingfrom the boiler or othersteam-source. (Not hereshown.) Bisthe mainvalve. D is a continuation of the supply-main, with which are properlyconnected the several radiators and other working appliances J J K,provided with air-valves c, and requiring substantially the same degreeof heat or pressure. D is a vertical extension of the supply-main D,leading down to the horizOntal'return-main G and draining D intothelatter. HHarethe'several return branches leading from J J K to thepipe G. The return-main G terminates in the tank or trap F, entering thesame near the bottom, as shown.-

0 is the outlet of the tank F, located somewhat above the entrance of G,so that when the apparatus is in working order water will fill G andstand in the several return branches H H proximately on the line Q Q. Pis a blow-off, by which the water of the entire system illustrated maybedischarged when required. I I are pipes connecting the Several returnbranches with the main or branch supply, each having the stop-Valve 1.Finally, E is a pipe connecting the supply D with the return G throughthe tank F, completing the open circuit F E D D G.

By means of the pipe E, connecting D and F, as described, asubstantially equable pressure is established throughout the entiredivis ion between the supply and returnpipes, giving obviously varyingand variable elevation of water-seal in the severalreturns H H,

Eric.-

which rises above the line Q Q in direct proportion to the reductionof'steam-pressure,

above it from the work performed in the several working appliances J K,with which they connect.

The tank F is so proportioned to the extent of the entire division ofpiping that an ample volume of water is available to supply thisvapounding in the pipes when steam is let on,

since the complete seal in all cases provided in the return-pipesprevents the admission of steam to the radiators by these pipes and theconsequent massing of water therein, which, as might be at lengthexplained, is the occasion of such hammering.

In a limited apparatus or division of apparatus, a reservoir like thatillustrated in tank F would be unnecessary. The pipe E might connectdirectly with G, the outlet having the same relative position, as shownbut in nearly every case the use of a tank or reservoir will be foundadvantageous. v

The outlet 0 may connect with the boilerfeed, or with any otherappliance giving suitable resistance to the passage of steam.

Having thus explained my invention so far as exemplified in a singledivision of appara tus, I proceed to describe my method of combining andconnecting several similar divisions to complete a general systemadapted to the varied requirements of a large building. In Fig. 2 such ageneral system is illustrated embracing three divisions, one of whichmay have a working pressure higher than the others.

Through the rising branches D D from the supply-main D of divisionalready described steam is conducted to the radiators J and J upon theupper floor. The returns H H of J J on this floor are shown to connectwith the return-main or seal-pipe G 5 but they may (sometimespreferably) connect with a pipe corresponding to G, discharging into thesecondary tank F or, if conveniently situated for the purpose, thesereturns may discharge directly and immediately into the tank F, asindicated by H H, which are shown by dotted lines to extend within thetank below the level of its outlet 0. In this case the tank F unites thefunctions of tank and sealpipe, and the division becomes more clearlydistinct from the main or central division having the tankF than it isnow shown to be in the drawing.

'The tank F is connected with the tank F by its, outlet or dischargepipe 0, and E is the equalizing-pipe for all apparatus having returnconnection with F. By means of these several connections the twodivisions so far described will obviously have substantially the samepressure, and from the illustration they afford it is plain thatgenerallyin the combination of two or more divisions having the samepressure the supply and return pipes of working appliances belonging tothem may be con; nected with either indift'erently.

The third division, which 1 next describe, is the lowerone in thedrawings, and is intended,

say, for cooking, laundry, or other purpose requiring higher pressure.It has its supply main or feed-pipe D connected with A at a point backof the valve 13, and is provided with its own valve B. Through cl anynumber of working appliances J and K may be supplied therefrom, H Hbeing thin returnpipes discharging through G into tank or trap F, and Ebeing the equalizing-pipe of the division.

I have shown in this division my modification of a trap, F, whereby itis adapted to serve both as a trap and sealing-tank. It is generally ofthe ordinary construction-such, for example, as I have illustrated indetail in Fig. 3--the principal modification for the purpose specifiedconsisting in locating the induction at 9, Fig. 3, instead of at g, ashitherto constructed.

A pipe, it, gives discharge to the trap into the tank F, whither, in therelative positions shown, the water is forced by the higher pressure in.the lower division. As O of tank F usually connects with theboiler-feed (through suitable trap or other appliance) by means of thecommon discharge of the several divisio ns through the tank F, asdescribed, no steam or heat is wasted. When a suitable variation ofpressure exists between pressures in the boiler and the tank F,exhaust-steam from an engine connected with the boiler may be similarlydischarged into tank F and utilized. Connections for this purpose areshown at L.

The pipe at is provided with the valve u, by which and the valve B thecooking division may be operated separately from the other di visions;but when this is done other dischargeconnection of the trap-tank'will berequired. An open discharge is shown through the valve P. I

Having given above an explanation of the mode of constructing andoperating a single division or several combined divisions of my improvedapparatus, from which its principles of operation are clear, it will bereadily understood that, instead of connecting the sup ply 1) with thetank F by means of the equalizing-pipe E to produce the substantialequilibrium of pressure sought and described, it will be practicable,and, in most cases, preferable, to lead the pipe A directly into thetank F, (or trap-tank, as the case may be,) as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.The tank is thus made the startin g-point and the termin ation of thesteamcirculation.

This mode of connection is intended to 0b-.

'viate any difficulty growing out of a possible diflerence in pressurebetween tank and supply when remote from each other, and also to preventthe passage of water from a foamin g boiler into the feed D. When waterfrom such a boiler enters with the steam the tank F of Fig. 5, it istherein separated from the steam, and only dry saturated steam isallowed to pass onto the feed-pipes of the sys tem.

The equalizing-pipe E, when introduced as seen in .Fi g. 1 or thecentral division of Fig. 2, is usually adequate to the second purposelast above mentioned, but not always.

It is sometimes necessary or desirable to connect a radiator so that thesteam will enter and the water condensed therefrom will emerge throughthe same pipe, as seen at J,

Fig. 2. For this purpose the air-pipe s is introduced and connected, asshown. It is provided with the check-valve T, opening outwardly from theradiator, and the three-way valve S, the latter being arranged todischarge the upper pipe and radiator into the sewer or elsewhere. Tofill the radiator with steam, (valve 0 being open,) S is turned todischarge the air when the entering steam has forced the air out ofradiator J and pipe 8. S is turned to give passage with D. In anair-pipe thus connected no water can mass and freeze, and the equablepressure allows the single pipe D to serve both as supply and returndrip to the radiator J. It may be incidentally remarked that by makingsuch connection of s with D as is shown, and locating valve S withreference tof/the object in view, the operator is enabled to let steamonto the radiator of an upper floor from his position on a lower one.

In Fig. 2, besides the several connections described, I have shown manyauxiliary appliances of great use in the proper construction andsuccessful operation of an extended system of steam-piping. Thus, V is asafetyvalve attached to the tank F, equally desirable whether steam istaken directly from the boiler, as in Fig. 5, or from the supply-main,as in Fig. 2. At a convenient point for observation are gages a and 1),showing pressure in A and in the tank F, respectively. The several tanksmay advantageously have these attachments. O is a pressure-regulatorapplied tothe supply-main D, if necessary, to regulate pressurethroughout the system con nected therewith, and M is a water-gageattached to the tank F.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown forms of com bined trap and tank.

In Fig. 3 the usual point of induction is indicated by dotted lines atg, and 9 shows it as located by me below the low-water line, to giveproper seal in the return or seal pipe g. E represents theequalizing=pipe through which the circuit first described. isestablished, and n the escape or outlet, already fully explained. InFig. 4 suitable connections are shown'for making the trap-tankthestarting-point and terminus of the circuit, as also amply describedabove, A representing the boiler-connection, and D the supply-main orfed-pipe of the division to which it belongs, n being the outlet, as inthe other figure.

Fig. 6 shows an ordinary trap, F, retained in the alteration of the oldto my system of piping, F being a supplemental tank introduced withequalizing-pipe E to give the equal pressure and seal required.

The novel feature of an induction-pipe of a trap located below thelow-water line, whereby, in connection with the equalizing-pipe or itsequivalent, a water-seal may be obtained in the several returnsdischarging thereinto, is plainly adapted or applicable to all forms offloat or intermittent discharge-traps.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent i 1. In a system of steam-piping for heating and similarpurposes, the combination of the following elements, namely: thefeed-pipe D, thereturn-main G, having elevated outlet 0, as described,the connections D and H, and the equalizing-pipe E, or its equivalent,together arranged and connected to give equable direct and back pressurewith variable water-seal in all return branches H, interposed betweenopposing steam currents or bodies, substantially as set forth. 1 v

2. In combination with a system of steampiping arranged to givesubstantially equal direct and back pressure with variable water seal,as described, a tank or reservoir coir nected with the seal-main andsubject to the steam-pressure .ot' the supply-main, whereby the depth ofwater in one or many of the re turn branches may be greatly increasedwithout impairing the seal of others, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a system of steam piping having equable directand back press ure and variable water-seal, as described, the pipe I,having valve '5, and connecting the feed and return branch of a workingappliance in the connection, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

. 4. The combination, in a steam-heating ap paratus, of two or moredistinct steam-circuits, each circuit being complete independently ofthe boiler except as a source of supply, and each provided with aseal-tank or seal-main, as described, connected with each other by thepipes O and n, uniting the several tanks or mains, substantially as andfor the pur= poses specified. I

5. In the combination of two or more divis= ions of a steam-heatingapparatus, adapted, as herein set forth, to work under differentpressures, the trap F", and the pipe at, uniting the'divisions andoperating to discharge one In testimony that I claim the foregoing asinto the other, substantially as described. my invention I hereuntoaffix my signature in 6. A combined tank and trap having its presence oftwo witnesses.

inlet below the low-water line therein, and

adapted, substantially as herein set forth, to EUGENE F. OSBORNE. beconnected in an equalized pressure system of piping to give waterseal inthe return- Witnesses:

main and branches thereof, substantially as WM. M. STANLEY,

described. M. E. DAYTON.

